17 Habits for a Better Life – Doable & Not Overwhelming
I don’t know about you, but when life starts feeling overwhelming, drab, or even a little unsatisfying I start looking at my habits and my goals to see how I can improve them. I question, what can I do to lessen my load and at the same time increase my satisfaction in life? What can I do to have a better life?
My ADHD brain can’t handle big lists of goals and habits. I get lost and overwhelmed, and that defeats the purpose of habits and goals. So, I made a doable and not overwhelming list for you, too!
In this article, we’ll talk about 17 habits for a better life and why habits are a good thing for a happy, healthy, life.
17 Habits for a Better Life
A better life usually isn’t built through huge, dramatic changes. It’s the little things you do over and over; the habits that make your days feel a little calmer, healthier, happier, and more like you. Habits that aren’t crazy or big or scary but just enough to make for a better life!
Here are 17 simple habits worth bringing into your life.
01. Start your morning without your phone
Try giving yourself a few minutes before letting texts, emails, news, and social media into your brain. Drink your coffee, or orange juice, open the curtains, stretch, pray, journal; anything that lets you wake up before the rest of the world gets your attention.
02. Drink more water
Nothing life-altering here, but hydrating matters. Keep your water nearby throughout the day so you don’t suddenly realize at 4 p.m. that you’ve survived entirely on coffee. While I love a good, caffeinated drink too your body needs some good old fashion water, too.
03. Get outside every day
Even if all you have is ten minutes; it counts. Sit on the porch, walk around the block, water your plants, or just stand outside and feel the sun on your face. Fresh air can do wonders for a blah mood. This is my favorite habit and one I think would be wonderful for you, too.
04. Make your bed
It takes a couple of minutes, makes your bedroom instantly look better, and gives you one tiny accomplishment before the day has really even started. I’ll admit, I’m not great with this habit but I find that when I do make my bed, and fluff up my pillows, I feel so much better.
05. Move your body in ways you actually enjoy
You do not have to become a gym person. Ahem, did you hear that? You don’t have to become a gym person! Just walk, stretch, garden, dance around your kitchen, swim, ride a bike—whatever feels good and works for your body. I have a chronically ill body that doesn’t handle working out well, so gentle walking is my go to and can be yours, too.
06. Stop saving everything for “someday”
Go ahead and burn the pretty candle. Wear the nice pajamas. Use the fancy dishes. Buy yourself flowers. Make the recipe. Life is happening right now, and ordinary Tuesdays deserve nice things too. I love this habit and hope you learn to incorporate the special for the everyday, too.
07. Read something every day
Even five or ten pages. Read novels, devotionals, memoirs, poetry, nonfiction; whatever interests you. It’s such an easy way to slow down and get away from screens for a while. With my ADHD I have a difficult time keeping attention for a book, but I do find time for a good Substack newsletter or a few Bible verses.
08. Keep a simple gratitude practice
You don’t need an elaborate gratitude journal. Just think of three good things from your day. They can be tiny: good coffee, your cat doing something ridiculous, a pretty sunset, clean sheets. Gratitude journaling is a wonderful practice to get into!
09. Spend less time with people who drain you
Hear this, you don’t have to be available to everyone all the time. Protecting your peace sometimes means saying no, stepping back, or simply not responding immediately. And some people don’t deserve to drain you!
10. Keep promises to yourself
If you tell yourself you’re going to do something, try to follow through—even when it’s small. Every time you do, you build a little more trust in yourself.
11. Create something regularly
Paint. Draw. Bake. Embroider. Garden. Write. Take pictures. Decorate your home. Creativity doesn’t have to be productive or profitable. You’re allowed to make things simply because making them makes you happy.
12. Take care of tomorrow-you
Set out your clothes. Prep breakfast. Fill your water bottle. Put your keys where you can find them. Spend ten minutes tidying the kitchen before bed. Tiny favors for your future self make life surprisingly easier.
13. Let yourself rest without earning it
Rest isn’t something you only deserve after you’ve completely exhausted yourself. Sometimes the productive thing to do really is lie down, watch a comfort show, read a book, or do absolutely nothing.
14. Notice the good stuff while it’s happening
We spend so much time waiting for the next thing that we can miss the life we’re already living. Pay attention to the cozy mornings, funny conversations, favorite meals, quiet evenings, changing seasons, and people you love.
15. Get comfortable saying no
Not every invitation needs a yes. Not every request needs an immediate response. And you don’t always need a long explanation. Sometimes, “I can’t this time” is enough.
16. Talk to yourself like someone you love
Pay attention to the way you speak to yourself when you mess up, have a bad day, or don’t accomplish everything you planned. You deserve the same patience and kindness you’d give someone you care about.
17. Give yourself something to look forward to
Plan little joys into your life. A coffee date. A new book. A weekend project. A movie night. A day trip. Your favorite dinner on Friday. Life feels a little brighter when there’s something good waiting on the calendar.
You don’t need to start all 17 of these tomorrow morning. Pick one or two that sound good and start there. A better life isn’t about perfectly optimizing every hour of your day. It’s about slowly creating more of the things that make your life feel good, meaningful, peaceful, and yours.
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